by Heather Fawcett
Published 2025
'A charmingly whimsical delight. . . Five dazzling, gladdening stars' India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels The third instalment in the enchanting light academia Emily Wilde books, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves, from Sunday Times bestselling author Heather Fawcett. Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm-as its queen. Along with her former academic rival-now fiancé-the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell's long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare, filled with scholarly treasures. Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal world-how could an unassuming scholar like herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in-Wendell's murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell's magic-and Emily's knowledge of stories-to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear. Praise for the Emily Wilde books: 'Forget dark academia: give me instead this kind of winter-sunshined, sharp-tongued and footnoted academia, full of field trips and grumpy romance' Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light 'A darkly gorgeous fantasy that sparkles with snow and magic, this book wholly enchanted me' Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches 'A thoroughly charming academic fairy tale, complete with footnotes and a low-key grumpy romance' Guardian 'Enchanting in every sense of the word. . . This book is real magic' H. G. Parry, author of The Magician's Daughter 'A book so vividly, endlessly enchanting, so crisply assured, so rich and complete and wise and far-reaching in its worldbuilding that you'll walk away half ensorcelled, sure Fawcett found Emily Wilde's journal in some sea-stained trunk' Melissa Albert 'The ideal book to curl up with on a chilly winter's evening. . . this book is an absolute delight.' Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy 'I enjoyed every word of this gorgeously written fairy tale featuring a grumpy heroine and an utterly charming love interest' Isabel Ibañez, author of Woven In Moonlight
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“This voice's measured and distant quality perfectly captures Emily Wilde's academic dryness and slightly detached narrative style, while the British accent is a perfect match.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“The professional and neutral tone of this voice aligns well with Emily's scholarly demeanor, offering a clear and articulate delivery suitable for a narrative voice with hidden wit.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“With an articulate and natural delivery, this British voice embodies the clear and precise diction expected from a meticulous academic like Emily, conveying her observations with a calm presence.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Crisp
“The crisp and clear texture of this voice provides an excellent foundation for Emily's observant and sometimes sharp commentary, ensuring her narrative is engaging and easy to follow.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Professional
“This voice offers a professional yet warm British tone, fitting for a scholar who, despite her dry exterior, possesses a hidden warmth and depth that unfolds throughout her adventures.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A dashing, mercurial fae prince, charming and magical, with a voice that can be both alluring and intense.
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“This voice's sophisticated European British quality with an articulate and effortlessly professional charm perfectly embodies Wendell's dashing and mercurial fae prince persona, hinting at both allure and intensity.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“The warm, friendly, and well-spoken British delivery of this voice could portray Wendell's charming side, making him approachable while still retaining a hint of his magical mystique.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Classy
“A classic British RP voice with a warm and smooth quality could capture Wendell's conversational yet dramatic flair, allowing for both his alluring and intense moments to shine.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Professional
“The refined RP-leaning British accent and professional warmth of this voice would suit Wendell's royal background and magical presence, providing a captivating and authoritative tone.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“With deep emotional resonance and an authentic British tone, this voice could bring out Wendell's mysterious and dramatic facets, making his character feel truly immersive and captivating.”
A powerful and malevolent fae queen, whose voice carries a sense of ancient malice and authority, even when not present.
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“This deep, haunting British female voice is an ideal match for a malevolent fae queen, conveying ancient malice and an intimidating presence that commands attention.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“The expressive and suspenseful quality of this voice would perfectly capture the intense and dramatic nature of a powerful fae antagonist, building tension even in her absence.”
Received Pronunciation · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“The mysterious and foreboding tone of this Received Pronunciation voice is excellent for a fae queen, suggesting a dark allure and a sense of ancient power that is both captivating and unsettling.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“The mysterious, calm, and natural delivery of this British voice, capable of building intensity, would suit a fae queen whose power is subtle yet deeply unsettling, with a slow and deliberate speaking style.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“The calm, clear, and emotionally engaging narration of this voice, with its subtle depth, could portray the fae queen's malice as a chilling, controlled force rather than overt aggression.”